What is vanity publishing?

Vanity publishing is a model where the author pays to have a book produced, but the publishing company adds very little genuine publishing value beyond printing and administration. They often sell expensive packages to writers who are inexperienced, and they frequently imply “traditional publisher” credibility when they are not operating as one. I strongly advise you to avoid vanity publishing: you pay a high price, you give up control, and you get no real commercial support. There are far better routes where you keep ownership and buy only the specific professional services you need.

Further reading: /information/vanity-publishing

What is meant by an independent publisher?

Independent publishers are commercially operated publishing companies that are not owned by a large corporate group. Some “independents” commission books (traditional publishing). Some “independents” offer services for a fee (service publishing). Some do both. The key is this: independence does not tell you whether they are a good match for you. You need to know the business model, the contract terms, the rights retention rules, and who pays for what. Always establish whether they are offering a trade contract or a service model, before you submit or buy anything.

Further reading: /information/independent-publisher

What should I beware of when self-publishing?

Watch for any offer that bundles unnecessary services at inflated prices. Watch for any agreement that tries to take rights, copyright, exclusive licences, or long lock-in terms. Watch for claims of “best-seller packages” or guaranteed media coverage: those are not serious or credible. Your safest approach is modular purchasing: buy only the professional services you need — editing, typesetting, cover design, metadata, distribution — from reputable specialists. In self-publishing, you are the publisher. The whole point is that you choose the professionals you need, not the other way round.

Further reading: /information/beware-when-self-publishing

If I use a self-publishing company to publish my book, do I retain copyright?

Yes. You retain copyright unless you sign it away in writing. A professional service publisher should never take copyright. They may need a non-exclusive licence to manufacture, distribute and retail the book — but that is not copyright assignment. Always read the rights clause in any agreement. If the company wants to own the copyright, walk away. Copyright is an asset: it is not something you should give up in exchange for help with design or printing.

Further reading: /information/copyright-and-self-publishing

If I use a self-publishing company, do I have to choose one of their packages?

No. You do not. In fact, I advise against it. Packages often contain elements that do not add value to your specific book. Professional publishing is modular. Choose services that serve the specific needs of your book. It is your money, and you should retain control over how it is used. If a provider offers only packages, ask for an itemised breakdown. If they refuse to do that, it is usually a sign that they are not a genuinely author-centred business.

Further reading: /information/self-publishing-packages

How much does it cost to self-publish a book?

That depends on the scale and quality of the services you purchase. A quality edit, a specialist book cover, and professional typesetting are the core investments. Printing is a separate cost. There is no single price. However, there is a principle: pay for quality where it genuinely affects the book (editing, design, typesetting). Do not pay inflated “packages” that hide weak services inside a bundle. Be selective, and manage your production as a publisher.

Further reading: /information/self-publishing-costs

What publishers are in my area?

Geography matters far less now than it used to. Most publishers accept submissions digitally. Most service providers work virtually and globally. What matters is not where the publisher is based — but whether their publishing model is compatible with your objectives. You can certainly search regionally, but the more useful question is: does the publisher’s model match what you actually need?

Further reading: /information/local-publishers

What is PLR (Public Lending Right)?

PLR is a statutory scheme that pays authors when their books are borrowed from public libraries. In the UK, PLR is administered centrally. You register your book and you receive annual payments based on borrowings recorded in sample libraries. It is a valuable long-term income for authors, and it is one of the reasons that getting a book into the library system matters. PLR has nothing to do with royalties from bookshops. It is a separate revenue stream.

Further reading: /information/plr-public-lending-right